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Functions of Epidermal Melanin- Possible Evolutionary Significance of Heavy Metal Chelation

Author

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  • Patrick A Riley

    (Totteridge Institute for Advanced Studies, UK)

Abstract

A topic that has attracted a great deal of attention in relation to human evolution is the pigmentation of the skin. In comparison to closely related species humans are relatively hairless but there are notable racial differences in the degree of epidermal melanisation. Viewed from the aspect of evolutionary selectivity the significance of the epidermal melanisation in man, it is suggested that one possible factor may be that the transcutaneous desquamation of melanin may have furnished a mechanism for excretion of metals, with particular reference to toxic heavy metals which are strongly bound to the pigment.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick A Riley, 2023. "Functions of Epidermal Melanin- Possible Evolutionary Significance of Heavy Metal Chelation," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 51(4), pages 42951-42953, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:abf:journl:v:51:y:2023:i:4:p:42951-42953
    DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2023.51.008142
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